Henry



Patented June 6, 1882.

ESEEE N. PETERS Phalo-Lilhngraphar. Wzshinglan. D. c. X

- vers C and D, certain portions of which levers vention.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

HENRY c. FRANK, 'oF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CLASP'OR DRESS-SUPPORTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 259,002, dated June 6, 1882. I

Application filcd March 21,1882." (no model.)

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, HENRY O. FRANK, of New York city, in the county and State ofNew York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Clasps or Dress-Supporgers, of which the following is a specification.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the in Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing manner of using the device. Fig.2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Fig. 4. is a section on line w m, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a section on line 3 y, Figs. 2 and 3.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures. i

A is the body, and A A a turned-up portion at each side, serving as ears to receive a single pivot, B, which serves for both the lewill be further distinguished by additional marks of reference when necessary, as O D. Each lever is operated by an independent spring, (marked respectively E E Each spring is coiled around the shaft or pivot B, and engages one end with the base or bodyA and the other with the respective lever O or D.

I form the parts A, B, and O of hard sheetbrass, out and stamped by suitable dies into the required form and condition. Thin metal may be used, the edges being turned up to give the requisite stiffness and strength to the parts.

The levers G and D are alike; so, also, their springs E and E are alike. A description of one will suffice'for both. 7

The lever O has a working end, 0', of nearly the full width of-the base or body A. It is toothed to afiord a better hold on the garment; but care must be taken to form these teeth at such an angle. and to so condition the parts that they shall not actually puncture the fabric of the dress, but shall only take a firm and reliable hold thereon. The lever O is continued of full width only a little distance, and then suddenly narrowed by an offset, 0, to about half of its full width. It is continued half of the width to the other end, which other end, 0 is smoothly finished, and adapted to serve as a thumb-piece, by pressing down on which the working end 0 of the lever shall be lifted or moved away from the base A against the tension of the spring E. The companion lever, D, is placed in the reverse position to the lever C, but is otherwise similarly conditioned, and is operated by the spring E in the same manner as'the lever G, and entirely independent thereof. The offset 0 in the lever 0 allows the thumb-piece D of the lever D to work freely past the adjacent parts of the lever O. In the same manner the offset 01- in the lever D allows the thumb-piece G of the lever G to work 1 past it. Thus the two levers work on the same pivot, B, and are entirely independent of each other, both in their capacity for opening and closing and in the forces received from their respective springs, in all positions and conditions of the parts.

My clasp maybe made very compact. I have in my experiments made the entire clasp one inch long and three-eighths of an inch wide.

My improved clasp may beused to support skirts in wet weather or under any circumstances where it shall be required to shorten them. They may similarly support sleeves and other parts of dress, the two ends engaging with two parts of the dress and holding them with gentle but sufficient force. The dies should be so formed that the turning of the sheet metal is effected on a slight curve. In other words, all the corners should be slightly rounded. This saves the strengthof the metal and makes the device more smooth and agreeable in use.

By properly constructing the dies the exteriors of the parts B and O, and especially of the part A, may be decorated, so that my clasp is ornamental. It presents the appearance of an ornamental pin. This effect may be particularly fine when my clasp is applied with 1 the base or body A presented outward.

A use to which my clasp is especially adapted by its small size and smooth exterior is that of holding the parts of infants dress, and especially bibs. It applies readily in any position, and may be used in place of pins, buttons, and other fastenings generally. One end may be engaged with any portion of the clothing and held' open to any thickness by the presence of clothing between the levers without in any degree afl'ecting the tension of the spring of the opposite lever.

. Either of the thumb-pieces or narrow ends 0 D may be depressed past the adjacent piece of the companion lever by pressing on it with any suitable narrow device.

The mounting of both levers on a single pivot not only reduces the cost of construction, but allows the whole back to be in a single continuous sheet, adapted to receive any appro priate decoration or to present a neat and attractive appearance when left plain. In connection with the broad working end and narrow body of each lever, it gives adirectness of pull on the fabric engaged which is not obtainable with any analogous construction known to me.

Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions of the parts without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention. I can vary the forms I can disofthe teeth at the working ends. pense with the teeth altogether.

The thickness of the sheet metal may be increased or diminished. I have used hard brass, about No. 30. The material may be varied indefinitely.

The surfaces may be nickeled, silvered, gilded, or otherwise finished to improve the effect. I can make the whole or any portion openwork.

I esteem it important to provide a liberal length and stiffness for the springs, so that they shall endure long usage without material loss of elastic force.

I claim as my invention- The clasp described, having a body, A, with its lugs or cars A A and the single pivot B, sustained therein, carrying the springs E E, the reversed levers O D, each with its narrow body and broad end 0 D, extending across the full width of the body A, all substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at New York city, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY C. FRANK.

Witnesses:

WM. 0. DEY, J. LIVINGSTON SEYMOUR. 

